Method for assembling chains

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for assembling individual chains manufactured from a single strand in a line and having a plurality of chain links. The individual chain lengths are transported open and separate from each other during assembly, so that a first and last link of each of the individual chains are recognized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for assembling chains that are manufactured in a single strand in a line, and having a plurality of chain links.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known that chains having a plurality of chain links, irrespective of their particular design, are manufactured in a single strand in a line, i.e., endlessly. That means that the chain links manufactured in sequence are connected with each other so that an endless chain arrangement results, which is composed essentially of a large number of individual chains of the shorter length that is ultimately desired.

That known method leads to the problem that during further assembly it is not simple to determine where the beginning and the end of each of the desired shorter individual chains are located. That determination is, however, necessary for further processing and ultimate assembly of the desired individual chains. In the known method, a so-called dummy link is inserted in each case between the end of one desired shorter chain and the beginning of the following shorter chain. In that way it is possible with the known method to recognize from that arrangement of the chain where one chain ends and a following chain begins.

The use of dummy links in the known method is expensive, however, since the dummy links first have to be connected to the chain, and then must be removed again during final assembly of the shorter chain. Another disadvantage arises from the fact that the various individual shorter chains are all connected to each other, so that it is difficult to remove defective parts that are recognized during assembly, for example.

An object of the present invention is to provide an assembly method of the type identified above and which is as uncomplicated and efficient as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved by a method for assembling chains manufactured in a single strand in a line and having a plurality of chain links, wherein the individual chains are transported open and separate from each other during assembly, so that a first and last link of each of the individual chains are recognized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention individual chains are transported one after another in a line, and are separated from each other. As a result, quasi-automatic recognition of the first and last link of each chain in endless fabrication is made possible. Thus, the need to add and remove dummy links in the method in accordance with the invention is eliminated, so that the method in accordance with the invention offers maximum efficiency. It is also possible for a predetermined spacing to be provided between the last link of one chain and the first link of a following chain, in order to realize even better recognition of the individual chains.

Because the first and last link of each chain is recognized automatically, it is also easy with the method in accordance with the invention to quickly change the length of the chains that are to be made. Another advantage of the method in accordance with the invention is that parts that are recognized as defective, for example, can be removed simply and without complication from the open chains, without the need for costly processing to open and reclose the chain.

In a refinement of the invention, the individual chains are first closed in a further course of assembly in order to obtain individual closed chains.

With particular advantage, in the proposed method the already closed chains are stretched. In that way each chain link is stretched, including the closing link of the closed chain. In the case of chains that include dummy links, the chains are stretched with the strand open, so the closing link that is added later does not get stretched.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is therefore intended to encompass within the appended claims all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A method for assembling individual chains from a chain fabricated in a single strand in a row and having a plurality of chain links, said method comprising the steps of: separating individual chain lengths from the single strand; and transporting the individual chain lengths in an open condition and separate from each other so that a first and last link of the individual chain lengths are recognized.
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the open chain lengths are transported one after another in a line.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 1, including the step of closing the individual chain lengths are closed by connecting their first and last links.
 4. A method in accordance with claim 3, including the step of stretching the closed chains. 